reference-design-contract
Turn vague taste, screenshots, URLs, product notes, or "make it feel like this" references into a grounded DESIGN.md plus an implementation handoff. Use it before prototypes, decks, redesigns, or image remix work when the user needs a reusable visual direction rather than a one-off prompt.
By nexu-io · 1,388 installs
npx skills add nexu-io/open-design --skill reference-design-contract
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Reference Design Contract
Use this skill when the user has taste signals, references, or a rough "like
this" request and needs a reusable design contract before generation. The goal
is not to write a longer prompt. The goal is to make design decisions explicit
enough that a later prototype, deck, redesign, or image remix run can execute
without guessing.
What this skill produces
Create three files:
1. DESIGN.md — the reusable visual direction, following OpenDesign's
standard nine section design system shape.
2. design contract.md — the decision record: evidence used, keep/change
boundaries, rationale, risks, and quality gate.
3. implementation handoff.md — concise build instructions for the next
artifact producing skill or coding agent.
If a preview is useful, also create example.html as a small hand built
contract preview. Do not make it the main deliverable.
Workflow
1. Lock the job. Identify target artifact type, audience, brand/product
context, references, and constraints. Ask at most two questions only when a
missing answer would change the direction. Otherwise choose a sensible
default and label it as inferred.
2. Read evidence. Use provided screenshots, URLs, existing DESIGN.md ,
brand docs, image artifacts, or user notes. If evidence is missing, say so
and base the contract on the brief only; do not invent brand facts.
3. Separate reference semantics. For every reference, split it into:
Keep : qualities to preserve, such as density, composition, material,
typography rhythm, color temperature, or motion attitude.
Change : subject matter, copy, brand marks, exact layout, protected
assets, and anything the user wants adapted.
Do not copy : literal screenshots, logos, claims, pricing, proprietary
UI, or exact prompt wording from examples.
4. Freeze the direction. Choose one coherent visual stance. Do not provide
five unrelated moodboards. If there are genuinely competing directions,
name them briefly, pick the recommended one, and continue.
5. Write DESIGN.md . Use these nine headings exactly:
1. Visual Theme & Atmosphere
2. Color
3. Typography
4. Spacing & Grid
5. Layout & Composition
6. Components
7. Motion & Interaction
8. Voice & Brand
9. Anti patterns
6. Write design contract.md . Include:
goal and target artifact
evidence table with confidence ( observed , provided , inferred )
keep/change/do not copy table
final design stance in one paragraph
risks and explicit unknowns
quality gate checklist
7. Write implementation handoff.md . Keep it short and operational:
files to read
token/palette/type/layout constraints
asset rules
responsive requirements
"first artifact should prove..." acceptance notes
8. Validate. Read references/checklist.md and satisfy every P0 gate
before final handoff.
Output rules
Make every claim traceable to user input, observed reference evidence, or an
explicitly labeled inference.
Prefer concrete constraints over adjectives: "one warm accent, no purple or
blue glow" beats "premium".
Treat "do the same style" as "borrow controllable qualities", not "clone the
original subject or prompt".
If the user asks for immediate UI generation too, finish these contract files
first, then hand off to the appropriate artifact skill in the next step.